At first glance, it seems to give Fianna Fail the worst news. A rating of 18pc is roughly half of what, even in bad times, any interested person would have considered the party's "core" vote. Not surprising that one minister reportedly exclaimed "Oh Jesus!" on hearing the figures.

But as an indicator of the national mood, which afflicts all parties, another finding is far more dismal than the prospect that the once-dominant party is likely to fall to third place in the next general election.

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